Top Five Batsmen: Cricket World Cup 2019

ICC World Cup 2019 campaign has ended on Sunday with England winning their first ever World Cup after 44 years of long wait. The 12th edition of the World Cup didn’t start on a good note with the weather ruining the experience on a number of occasions, however, the latter part of the show saw some of the most exciting matches, giving its viewers a brilliant ending to the most watched tournament in the game of cricket. And as they say, ‘all is well that ends well’.

The final match between England and New Zealand on Sunday has to be the best World Cup final in the history of the sport. Perhaps, life will be tough for some days for New Zealand supporters who have seen the cruelty of the sport to its core.

Only God can write such kind of unimaginable script with the result of a World Cup Final being decided on the number of boundaries hit. Unarguably, fate hasn’t been very nice to the good boys at the biggest stages in the game.

Amidst all the drama in the ICC World Cup 2019, we have seen some of the breathtaking batting performances with the bat in the 12th edition. As many as seven players have reached the 500-run mark in the perennial tournament, making it one of the best World Cups ever.

Here’s a look at our pick of the top five batsmen in the ICC World Cup 2019:

  1. Rohit Sharma

INNINGS: 9

RUNS: 648

AVERAGE: 81.00

Having scored over 600 runs in the tournament, and not seeing his team lift the trophy, India’s limited overs vice-captain is worthy of all the sympathy. Rohit Sharma has to be the best performer in the World Cup, scoring as many as five hundreds in nine innings. The right handed-batsman didn’t let the team fall under pressure, giving his side an ideal start in most of the matches. Rohit Sharma’s hundred against South Africa in what was India’s first match in the World Cup was arguably his best knock in the tournament.

In pursuit of 227 against the Proteas, India lost their key batsmen like Virat, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul early in the chase, however, Rohit Sharma held his nerves and played a sensational 144-ball 122 run innings, including 13 fours and two sixes, and eventually won his side the game with 15 balls left to be played.

Rohit Sharma has scored 648 runs in nine matches at an astounding average of 81.00.

  1. David Warner

INNINGS: 10

RUNS: 647

AVERAGE: 71.89

Australia’s opening batsman, David Warner enjoyed an equally successful campaign, ending just a run short of Rohit’s tally. The Southpaw scored 647 runs in 10 innings at an average of 71.89, including three hundreds.

Having missed out from the side since the sandpaper incident, Warner made a phenomenal comeback at the biggest stage of the sport. He has certainly made up for the runs that he had missed out in the last one year as he continued his spectacular IPL form. Warner seemed more determined, gritty and greedy for runs.

“It’s just more runs that you can miss out on. For me it’s about going out there and putting my best foot forward for the team and trying to score as many runs as I can. To make up for all the runs that I’ve missed out on and for the team,” he said.

  1. Shakib Al Hasan

INNINGS: 8

RUNS: 606

AVERAGE: 86.57

Bangladesh former skipper Shakib Al Hasan did everything he can to make his team qualify for the semis, though it just wasn’t enough. Bangladesh didn’t go into the semis, however, his performances in the 2019 World Cup will be remembered for years to come.

The left-hander amassed 606 runs in just eight innings at an average of 86.57. He struck two outstanding centuries in the tournament, one of which came in a 300+ chase. Bangladesh, is in fact, the only team to have chased down the total above 300.  The men in green chased down a 322-run target against West Indies in a 23rd match of the World Cup, courtesy of a brilliant 124 run innings by Shakib Al Hasan.

Kane Williamson

  1. Kane Williamson

INNINGS: 9

RUNS: 578

AVERAGE: 82.57

A man who has won more hearts than laurels in the World Cup, Kane Williamson has shown why he is regarded as one of the best cricketers in the current era. The New Zealander has singlehandedly won matches for the team, playing some of the greatest knocks in a World Cup.

Williamson has scored 578 runs in nine innings at an average of 82.57, including two centuries.

His 106-run knock against South Africa will be rated at the top amongst all. Playing under pressure, Williamson held his nerves to score 106 runs off 138 deliveries only to take his team home against a powerful South African bowling line up.

  1. Joe Root

INNINGS: 11

RUNS: 556

AVERAGE: 61.78

One of the best limited over’s batsmen, Joe Root has had a dream World Cup, scoring as many as 556 runs in 11 matches at an average of 61.78.

All the runs he has made in the tournament has paid off as England registered their maiden World Cup title beating New Zealand in the finals on Sunday.

Coming into the tournament on the back of impressive performances, Root continued his form hitting as many as two centuries against Pakistan and West Indies.

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